Kenya
Kenyan soap opera to enlighten Africans on AIDS

afrol News, 3 October - 'Heart and Soul', a prime time television and radio soap opera about the lives of two African families, is bringing issues such as HIV/AIDS, poverty and human rights to hard-to-reach populations in East Africa. The potential audience is estimated at 50 million to 75 million.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which is spearheading the project, the TV drama was inspired by 'East Enders', a popular BBC soap opera. 'East Enders' is directed by Mathew Evans, who is also collaborating on the Kenyan production. UNDP says the English language version 'Heart and Soul' could reach a potential audience of up to 75 million people in East Africa.

The UN agency said a six-episode pilot series directed by Kenyan Ken Shitsugane had run successfully in Kenya with broadcasts in 23 other countries. Producers were putting together two series of 13 episodes for television and radio in April and October 2003. 

- This project is of immense importance to us in Kenya and indeed to our brothers and sisters elsewhere on the continent, said Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Minister for Tourism and Information who noted that more than 200,000 Kenyans died of HIV/AIDS last year and that 2.5 million were living with the deadly virus.

UNDP said the entire United Nations country team in Kenya, consisting of 24 agencies, was backing 'Heart and Soul' with support from the Kenyan government, local and international sponsors, including Beidersdorf-Nivea (East Africa), Coca Cola Africa Foundation, Western Union, the British Council, the UK Department for International Development, Ford Foundation and the government of Norway.

- I think 'Heart and Soul' can reach audiences we find tough to reach, illuminating issues such as HIV/AIDS through drama, says Klaus Töpfer, Director of the UN Office at Nairobi. 

- The series marks a bold departure from the traditional use of documentaries, features and discussion programmes that the UN has been best known for, added Paul Andre de la Porte, UNDP Resident Representative. "Instead it applies 'edutainment' communications techniques, primarily targeting Kenya and East Africa, with cooperating stations beaming the show to audiences in many countries across Africa."

The UN agency said plans were underway to produce the programme in French for broadcast in francophone African countries. Production materials will also be made available to radio stations in other African countries to enable broadcast in local languages. 

Sources: Based on UN sources and afrol archives

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